Kutina, Jan; Taylor, Patrick T.

Abstract

We wish to discuss the relationship and importance of latitudinal belts of magnetic highs and lows, revealed by satellite-based anomaly maps (POGO, MAGSAT), that change their amplitude in places where they are intersected by transverse structures. The age of the magmatism and mineralization defined by these "transverse structures", reveals the geological time at which the latitudinal belts, shown by satellite magnetometry, existed in the continental lithosphere. These belts can then serve as markers of events in the evolution of the cratons. Examples are presented from the western United States, eastern Africa and the state of Rondonia in western Brazil. The latter case shows intersection of an east-west belt of magnetic anomalies by a major north-south fault (referred to as the 'Rondonia N-S Fault') and associated northwest- and northeast-trending faults, all guiding mid-Proterozoic acidic magmatism with important concentrations of tin. Intersections of the latitudinal belts of magnetic highs and lows by transverse structures are of significant importance for mineral exploration and can be detected even in areas covered by young sediments.